The Intersect of Art and Tech

The Intersect of Art and Tech Subscribe for updates on the art-tech relationship. The Intersect: Art & Technology Fusion

Welcome to The Intersect, a unique space where art meets technology.

"The Intersect" examines the reciprocal influences of technology and the arts, providing analyses of how tech advancements shape artistic expression and how creativity fuels technological progress. Curated by me, Juergen Berkessel, we explore how technological advances shape artistic expression and vice versa. This platform serves as a digest for enthusiasts and professionals who seek to understan

d and contribute to the evolving dialogue between these two dynamic fields.

đŸ”č What You’ll Find Here:

Insightful Articles: Deep dives into how technology influences art and how creativity drives tech innovations. Featured Discussions: Conversations with artists and technologists who are bridging the gap between creativity and technological execution. Resource Sharing: Curated links and resources for those who inhabit the nexus of art and technology.

đŸ”č Join Us:
Stay updated with the latest trends at the intersection of art and tech. Engage with a community that values deep, nuanced discussions about the integration and mutual influence of these fields.

đŸ”č My Background:
I'm Juergen Berkessel, founder of Polymash, a digital strategy company with a focus on podcast production, SEO, and web design. But I also combine my expertise in digital strategy with a passion for art and music, offering a unique perspective on the convergence of technology and artistic expression.

Social media algorithms shape the visibility of artists’ work, as explored in this [FAD Magazine article](https://fadmag...
02/19/2025

Social media algorithms shape the visibility of artists’ work, as explored in this [FAD Magazine article](https://fadmagazine.com/2025/01/23/dominate-social-media-in-2025-tips-to-build-a-stronger-online-presence/). Platforms reward engagement, pushing artists to create content that fits the algorithm’s demands—favoring video over static images, frequent posting, and interaction-heavy content. The challenge? Artists must balance creative integrity with the need to stay seen.

I take issue with one core recommendation: that artists should prioritize video to stay visible. Yes, platforms push reels and time-lapses, but forcing artists to package their work for social media trends feels like a compromise. Does a painter really need to perform for the algorithm?

> Social media offers reach, but at what cost? Artists end up creating *content* instead of *art*. A carefully composed piece might get buried while a quick process video thrives. The algorithm doesn’t prioritize quality—it prioritizes what keeps users scrolling.

What’s the tipping point between adapting to digital trends and losing creative autonomy?

Photo by Jumping Jax Social media changed how artists share their work.  It’s no longer about galleries or word-of-mouth. Now, an algorithm decides

Spotify’s algorithms make music discovery effortless—but at what cost? The *LA Review of Books* dives into how AI-driven...
02/19/2025

Spotify’s algorithms make music discovery effortless—but at what cost? The *LA Review of Books* dives into how AI-driven recommendations are flattening our musical taste, pushing us toward comfort and familiarity rather than novelty and challenge. The process of actively seeking out new music, they argue, is essential to deepening our appreciation of it.

I’ve noticed this myself. Playlists keep me in a loop of similar sounds, reinforcing what I already like rather than nudging me toward something unexpected. There’s a reason why stumbling upon a song in a record store or through a friend’s recommendation feels different—it’s discovery with intent, not passive consumption.

> Algorithms don’t surprise us, they reassure us. And that’s the problem. The best musical moments come from the unexpected—from hearing something strange, even uncomfortable, and growing to love it.

When was the last time you truly *searched* for music instead of letting an algorithm decide?

Will Gottsegen considers what is lost in Spotify’s era of pandering recommendation.

SYNART, a blockchain initiative founded by artists Vitaliy and Elena Vasilieva, tackles a major challenge in the art wor...
02/19/2025

SYNART, a blockchain initiative founded by artists Vitaliy and Elena Vasilieva, tackles a major challenge in the art world—authenticity and fair valuation. Their interview, originally published on [SYNART’s website](https://www.synart.io), highlights how blockchain can enhance, rather than replace, traditional art. By offering tools like digital authentication, tokenized ownership, and AI-driven valuation, SYNART aims to create a more transparent and equitable space for artists and collectors.

Blockchain remains one of the most misunderstood technologies in the arts. Many see it as a threat, but it’s really a tool—one that can protect intellectual property, ensure fair pricing, and help artists establish market credibility. Platforms like SYNART provide practical ways to integrate blockchain without compromising artistic integrity.

> “Blockchain is not a threat to art—it’s a tool that opens new possibilities. Start by registering your work on the blockchain for authenticity, explore tokenization and how it protects intellectual property, and use SYNART’s price oracle to grow your market value organically.”

Are artists hesitant about blockchain because of its complexity, or is it the traditional art world’s resistance to change?

Analog art remains the foundation of cultural heritage. We strongly believe it should not disappear in the digital age but rather find new ways to thrive while maintaining its authenticity. SYNART provides universal mechanisms that allow artists and collectors to seamlessly engage with traditional a

In *Next City*, Maylin Tu explores how artists like Amanda Lovelee are embedding themselves in government to influence p...
02/19/2025

In *Next City*, Maylin Tu explores how artists like Amanda Lovelee are embedding themselves in government to influence policy with creativity. Lovelee, formerly an artist-in-residence at the Metropolitan Council, describes her approach: “I’m an artist and my medium is government.” Her work challenges the idea that art in public service is just decoration. Instead, it's a tool for reimagining policy, from transportation to water management, with bold, unexpected interventions.

This is exactly the kind of cross-disciplinary experimentation that excites me. But let’s be honest—creativity in governance is a double-edged sword. While artists can bring fresh perspectives, not every self-proclaimed "visionary" should be shaping public policy.

> "Policy writing is science fiction writing, right? It’s like dreaming of an unknown future. And who better to do that than artists?"

What happens when the wrong kind of "artist" decides their medium is government? Imagine Elon Musk trying his hand at urban planning. Terrifying.

Through government artists-in-residence programs, creativity and play are transforming the public sector.

Adobe is rolling out new AI-powered tools in Lightroom and Camera Raw to simplify repetitive editing tasks, as reported ...
02/19/2025

Adobe is rolling out new AI-powered tools in Lightroom and Camera Raw to simplify repetitive editing tasks, as reported by Digital Trends. The two standout features are Adaptive Profiles, which intelligently adjusts tones and colors on a per-image basis, and Distraction Removal, which eliminates unwanted elements like reflections or photobombers. Adobe’s approach continues to center on refining workflows rather than generating entirely new content.

I appreciate Adobe’s measured approach to AI in photography. Unlike other platforms that aggressively push generative AI, Adobe has focused on making small but meaningful enhancements that keep the photographer in control. Color grading, exposure tweaks, and cleanup tasks are now smarter, but they don’t override creative intent.

> It’s interesting to see AI handling distractions, but there’s a fine line between helpful automation and losing artistic control. What qualifies as a “distraction”? That’s a decision I’d rather not leave entirely to an algorithm.

How much do we trust AI to make aesthetic choices for us?

Adobe is rolling out a pair of AI features for Lightroom and Camera Raw designed to help with tedious and repetetive photo editing tasks.

Andrew James McCarthy’s latest photograph, as covered by *Mashable*, captures the International Space Station passing in...
02/17/2025

Andrew James McCarthy’s latest photograph, as covered by *Mashable*, captures the International Space Station passing in front of the moon’s Shackleton Crater. The image is so crisp and surreal that many assumed it was AI-generated. But McCarthy, an accomplished astrophotographer, meticulously planned the shot, enduring equipment failures and harsh conditions to capture it. His work highlights the precision and patience required in astrophotography—something an AI can’t replicate.

We’ve reached a point where extraordinary photography is met with skepticism. Instead of marveling at incredible images, many default to assuming they’re synthetic.

> "Here's another example of how jaded we are becoming in terms of supposing that great imagery we see might have been created by AI. This would not have been the case in the past, and I'm not sure whether it has led to a greater appreciation of original photography, or whether we are just so jaded now that the original work seems uninspired by comparison."

Does this doubt push photographers to work harder, or does it make their achievements feel less meaningful?

It's real, and spectacular.

The exhibition *RIVALS - Photography vs. Promptography*, curated by Boris Eldagsen and covered by *Photo Journal Monday*...
02/17/2025

The exhibition *RIVALS - Photography vs. Promptography*, curated by Boris Eldagsen and covered by *Photo Journal Monday*, sets up a direct confrontation between traditional photography and AI-generated imagery. With 18 photographers and 18 AI artists, the show explores what remains irreplaceable in photography and what AI can contribute to image-making. Running in Berlin next March as part of the European Month of Photography, it questions perception, authenticity, and artistic intent.

This space fascinates me. I’ve followed surrealist Photoshop artists and photographers for years—those who built dreamlike images through analog collage, darkroom techniques, or digital compositing. Now, AI tools produce similar results in seconds. But the work that resonates most with me still has some level of hands-on manipulation.

> Prompt photography alone, without further intervention, rarely carries the same weight. The best AI-assisted pieces I’ve seen integrate real photography or undergo additional creative steps beyond a single text prompt. That’s where it moves from technical trick to artistic process.

Where do you draw the line between automation and art?

The exhibition RIVALS - Photography vs. Promptography explores the evolving relationship between traditional photography and AI-generated imagery, highlighting what remains irreplaceable in photography. Curated by Boris Eldagsen in collaboration with Photo Edition Berlin and Guelman & Unknow

Apollo 12 carried more than just scientific instruments to the moon—it also smuggled a piece of art. As reported in an a...
02/17/2025

Apollo 12 carried more than just scientific instruments to the moon—it also smuggled a piece of art. As reported in an article on [r/space](https://www.reddit.com/r/space/), a small ceramic tile etched with artwork by artists like Andy Warhol and Robert Rauschenberg was secretly placed on the lunar surface. Unlike recent, deliberate efforts to send art into space, this one was unsanctioned by NASA and slipped onto the spacecraft without official approval.

I got a chuckle out of the fact that the moon’s first unofficial art exhibit was essentially an act of creative smuggling. We tend to think of space-bound art as a modern concept, but artists were already finding ways to leave their mark beyond Earth decades ago—without waiting for permission.

> The idea that a handful of artists managed to sneak their work onto a spacecraft and leave it on the moon feels like the ultimate statement of artistic rebellion. No gallery approval, no institutional backing—just pure, unapologetic expression, now sitting quietly on the lunar surface.

So, if rogue artists were already staking claims on the moon in 1969, what does that say about the future of art beyond Earth?

Explore this post and more from the space community

Spotify’s algorithmic playlists promise discovery, but as *The Atlantic* highlights in a review of Liz Pelly’s *Mood Mac...
02/14/2025

Spotify’s algorithmic playlists promise discovery, but as *The Atlantic* highlights in a review of Liz Pelly’s *Mood Machine*, they mostly reinforce a loop of predictable recommendations. Worse, Spotify has taken things a step further—engineering its own "functional music" to populate these playlists. Instead of paying artists, the platform fills its mood-based lists with royalty-free tracks that mimic existing music, ensuring more profit for Spotify and less support for real musicians.

> The most disturbing part of this story is that Spotify hired their own music production companies to churn out quickly generated mood music to fill its recommended playlists. The reason? Royalties are much lower—or nonexistent—when Spotify produces the tracks itself, effectively cutting out the artists it's supposed to support. Suddenly, our playlists are filled with music that "fits" but doesn’t come from any recognizable artist in the real world.

If discovery is just an illusion, what does that mean for the future of music?

A new book explores the company’s commitment to shaping what its users hear.

Thirty-five years ago, Voyager 1 captured one of the most profound images in human history—the "Pale Blue Dot." As [IFLS...
02/14/2025

Thirty-five years ago, Voyager 1 captured one of the most profound images in human history—the "Pale Blue Dot." As [IFLScience](https://www.iflscience.com/the-pale-blue-dot-at-35-the-making-of-an-iconic-photo-78062) recounts, this final photograph was taken at Carl Sagan's insistence, a last look back before the probe continued into interstellar space. From 3.7 billion miles away, Earth was reduced to a mere fraction of a pixel, suspended in a sunbeam.

Sagan understood the power of perspective. He fought for this image not just as a scientific curiosity but as a statement—a reminder of our fragility. That tiny dot contains everything we have ever known, yet we act as if our divisions and conflicts matter on a cosmic scale.

> "It underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known." —Carl Sagan

Looking at that image today, have we really learned anything from it?

The final image from Voyager 1 remains as iconic today as it was in 1990.

Picasso’s *Portrait of Mateu Fernández de Soto* has been hiding a secret for over a century. As reported by *My Modern M...
02/14/2025

Picasso’s *Portrait of Mateu Fernández de Soto* has been hiding a secret for over a century. As reported by *My Modern Met*, conservators at The Courtauld Institute of Art used X-ray and infrared imaging to reveal a hidden portrait of an unknown woman beneath the surface. Likely painted just months earlier, this discovery sheds light on Picasso’s early years, when financial constraints often led him to reuse canvases instead of discarding them.

The fact that technology can bring these buried layers to the surface is fascinating. It’s a reminder that paintings aren’t static objects—they evolve, full of revisions, second thoughts, and lost ideas. Seeing these hidden stages offers a glimpse into the artist’s process, something we rarely get to witness so intimately.

> Artists constantly revise, rethink, and sometimes completely erase their work. This kind of archival scanning exposes those hidden decisions, revealing the moments where an artwork could have gone in an entirely different direction. It’s a kind of time travel through creativity.

What other masterpieces might still be hiding ghostly remnants of past ideas beneath their surfaces?

It’s amazing how much history we can unlock with modern technology.

The **Los Angeles wildfires** put the city’s art storage infrastructure to the test, as reported by *The Art Newspaper*....
02/14/2025

The **Los Angeles wildfires** put the city’s art storage infrastructure to the test, as reported by *The Art Newspaper*. With collectors and galleries scrambling to protect their artwork, facilities like RW Holdart, Uovo, and Crozier saw a surge in demand, some fielding **five to ten times** their usual requests. While many artworks in storage remained safe, others were hastily packed into cars or left behind as homeowners prioritized personal safety.

This reminds me of the **Asheville floods**, where artists had to rush their work upstairs to avoid water damage. The reality is, proper archival storage is **not cheap**, and most independent artists don't have access to high-security climate-controlled facilities.

> "In climate emergencies like fires, hurricanes, and similar disasters, we don't often think about preserving artwork. It seems almost like in war zones, when people scramble to save cultural treasures before disaster strikes."

If disasters keep escalating, do we need to rethink how we protect art outside of museums?

Facilities responded quickly to increased demand during evacuations

Charleston’s creative twist on pedestrian safety caught my eye in Ali Rockett’s piece for *The Post and Courier*. The ci...
02/04/2025

Charleston’s creative twist on pedestrian safety caught my eye in Ali Rockett’s piece for *The Post and Courier*. The city is pursuing a $100,000 grant to transform a busy downtown intersection with street art, aiming to slow drivers and protect pedestrians and cyclists. Inspired by a similar project from 2018, the initiative channels Bloomberg Philanthropies' Asphalt Art Initiative, which has shown promising results in reducing collisions and improving driver awareness.

I can’t help but wonder, though—how practical is this for cyclists? The zigzagging murals look stunning, but as someone who bikes regularly, I’d probably end up wobbling along, wondering if I’m more a hazard than the traffic.

> "It’s a really cool opportunity to look at safety in a different way," Katie Zimmerman of Charleston Moves said. Cool, yes—but also potentially nerve-wracking for us two-wheelers!

Are safety and aesthetics on a collision course here, or can creativity truly calm chaos?

Charleston applies for $100,000 street art grant to increase visibility of pedestrians and slow down drivers at intersection in the downtown Medical District.

In a recent article for *The Conversation*, the importance of "slow looking" was highlighted as a way to navigate our ov...
02/04/2025

In a recent article for *The Conversation*, the importance of "slow looking" was highlighted as a way to navigate our overstimulated visual culture. With manipulated and AI-generated images increasingly dominating our screens, the practice of pausing to truly see—whether art on a wall or visuals in daily life—has never been more crucial.

Here’s my take: rushing through a museum—or life, for that matter—robs us of the depth that only time and attention can uncover. It’s not just about identifying what an image is, but asking what it *feels* like and why. Slowing down transforms a gaze into an experience, and yes, that includes the mundane moments, like noticing the shadows cast by your coffee mug.

> “The act of slow looking develops visual literacy. It examines why certain images move us above others and what they say about our reality, values or beliefs.” – *The Conversation*

What would happen if we approached everyday life with the same kind of thoughtful attention we reserve for a Rembrandt?

Images clamour for our attention. Slow looking can help us thrive. Here’s what it is, and how to practise it.

The latest report from the U.S. Copyright Office, as covered by *Hyperallergic*, reexamines copyright protection for wor...
02/04/2025

The latest report from the U.S. Copyright Office, as covered by *Hyperallergic*, reexamines copyright protection for works involving AI tools. It concludes that artworks demonstrating "sufficient human creativity" can be copyrighted, provided humans determine or modify the expressive elements. This builds on earlier rulings, like the rejection of Jason M. Allen's *Théùtre d'Opéra Spatial*, which was deemed more attributable to MidJourney than his own creative input.

My take? The distinction between AI-assisted art and AI-generated art is critical, especially as tools like MidJourney and others blur these boundaries. If an artist uses AI as a tool—intentionally shaping, refining, or editing the outcome—that’s collaboration. But merely typing prompts? That’s delegation, not authorship.

> "Expressive elements" hinge on whether a human’s fingerprints are visible in the final output—a question that invites more nuance than legal standards often allow.

So, where do we draw the line between inspiration, collaboration, and automation?

The US Copyright Office issued its latest findings on the controversial question of who owns artworks created using generative tools.

The Beatles have made history yet again. As detailed in ReadWrite’s coverage, their AI-assisted track “Now and Then” ear...
02/04/2025

The Beatles have made history yet again. As detailed in ReadWrite’s coverage, their AI-assisted track “Now and Then” earned them a Grammy for Best Rock Performance at the 2025 ceremony. This win highlights how technology is not just preserving the past but actively shaping the future of music. AI played a pivotal role in cleaning up old recordings, enabling this track to become a reality decades later.

My take? We touched on this in a previous newsletter, focusing on AI’s ability to restore and digitize archival music. Seeing the project culminate in a Grammy win feels like a victory for both art and technology. And now, with the release of a music video, this fusion of past and present comes full circle.

> It’s remarkable how AI turned a lost fragment of history into something timeless. But does this blend of tech and art enhance creativity—or just nostalgia?

Can technology like this spark new possibilities, or does it risk tethering us too tightly to the past?

The Beatles’ Now and Then wins Best Rock Performance at the 2025 Grammys, making history as the first AI-assisted song.

The Associated Press recently highlighted the Paradox Museum in Miami’s Wynwood district, where math, science, and art c...
02/04/2025

The Associated Press recently highlighted the Paradox Museum in Miami’s Wynwood district, where math, science, and art collide in Instagram-perfect settings. Visitors navigate over 70 exhibits filled with optical illusions, interactive installations, and immersive photo opportunities. Executive Director Samantha Impellizeri describes it as a “funhouse meets education,” with themes tailored to reflect the local community.

I find the concept of blending carnival funhouses with educational layers of math and science fascinating. It’s an experience that feels playful yet purposeful, engaging visitors of all ages. The added allure of leaving with unique social media content makes it approachable for families and younger crowds, potentially building curiosity for more traditional museums.

> "We’re not going to be the same space in a year to three years from now,” Impellizeri explained, referring to the evolving exhibits that integrate new technologies and discoveries.

Could this trend bridge the gap between entertainment and deeper, lasting engagement with the arts?

Part art gallery, science exhibition and funhouse, Paradox Museum Miami takes visitors on a tour of optical illusions.

Earlier this week on *The Intersect* Substack, I launched **“The State of AI in the Arts Report 2023”**, an in-depth loo...
01/31/2025

Earlier this week on *The Intersect* Substack, I launched **“The State of AI in the Arts Report 2023”**, an in-depth look at how artificial intelligence is reshaping the art world. This report dives into everything from the tech’s impact on artistic creation to its role in market shifts and the thorny questions of ethics and authorship. It’s a resource for anyone navigating the intersection of creativity and technology—artists, collectors, technologists, and beyond.

What struck me most in putting this together is the growing polarization between traditional artists, cultural institutions, and tech creators. Each group seems locked in its own perspective, often at the expense of real dialogue.

> “Traditional artists I speak with often shut down at the mere mention of AI. ‘I work with paper, with paint, with my hands,’ they tell me. ‘AI has nothing to do with real art.’”

How much are we losing by staying in our silos instead of exploring the possibilities together?

Introducing: “The State of AI in the Arts” Report, examining the growing gap between traditional artists and AI creators in 2025

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